Flora awoke to Prince Andrei looking over her with an expression she couldn't quite make out. Was he upset? Angry? Maybe even confused, but one thing Flora knew for sure, he was definitely not worried. It felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. But this exhaustion made it much more clear why Flora had always passed out before she had a vision. It wasn't surprising that her body would be forced to conserve energy. Her training must have made her able to stay awake for the duration of the sight this time.
"You're awake." Prince Andrei had neither his snide smile nor his joking tone. His voice was utterly flat.
She looked around at her surroundings, the motion of her head sending her into a spin. Flora reached a hand to her temple to right herself. "How..." It was hard for her to gather her thoughts as everything was still fuzzy. "How long was I asleep?" Somehow she had been moved to a quiet hallway outside of the dining hall.
The princes face flickered in confusion. Brushing past her question he snipped, "I will give you one chance to tell me what happened in there." His sapphire eyes gleamed as he held her stare. This wasn't a question but a demand.
A groan escaped Flora's throat as she pushed herself into a more seated position. How much should she tell him? Did she even understand what was said? Flora head was swimming with questions that she didn't have an answer to. "It was a premonition." Hopefully he would except that answer, because she didn't have much more to give him. It was hard for her to speak. Everything seemed to be moving faster than she was, as if she was stuck in molasses.
"Elaborate."
Flora sighed, hugging herself tightly. "I don't have anything else to give you." All she wanted to do was go back to her nice soft, comfy bed. Her eyes drifted a bit thinking about the peacefulness of her bedroom.
Prince Andrei's expression twisted into one of annoyance. He flicked his head to look at the hallway, his black hair shimmering in the candlelight. "What did you mean?"
"I don't know."
A growl slipped from his mouth, "how the HELL do you not know?" The prince's arms were crossed, and she noticed that he had his right hand squeezing his left forearm rather tightly. "You are the one that said it, so how do you not know?"
A wave of shame flushed over Flora as she stammered, "I... I don't know." She looked away from the prince, hoping to avoid those piercing eyes. "I don't have any control over... that." Why couldn't he just leave her alone? No one had ever questioned her like this before about any of her visions.
"So you have no idea why those words came out of your mouth?"
"...no."
The prince grabbed her arm and twisted her body so that she was looking straight at him. Flora held her breath, her face just mere inches away from his. Prince Andrei didn't even blink as he said harshly, "you understand the severity of your comments, no?" When she didn't respond, he leaned in even closer, whispering in her ear, "what you said could constitute as a threat to Leosta. Is Prana planning an attack on Leosta?"
Flora's body began to shake as she slipped into a state of panic. "No." Tears tumbled down her cheeks as she tried to piece together what she said and what the prince was insinuating. Her voice cracked as she continued, "I... I don't know." She couldn't stop herself from trembling, even as the prince held her arm tight. "Prana is trying to achieve peace."
The prince laughed in a way that chilled Flora to the bone. "Prana isn't exactly the most peaceful country." His expression stilled as he added, "you are going to explain what that meant."
Flora sniffed, trying to regain at least some of her composure. What she told him could have drastic consequences for Prana. Damn, why did everything have to be so wobbly? Why couldn't she think clearly. "I told you... I don't know." She knew that he wasn't going to except that answer, so before he could open his mouth she went on, "I don't have control over whatever I see in the future. It's not like I try to make these predictions happen, they just do." Flora took a deep breath, still shaking. "All I know is that if I said it, then it must be true." The prince didn't respond, but Flora was set on smoothing things over. "Whatever threat you are perceiving from that statement is not coming from Prana. I meant it when I told you Prana is seeking peace. The whole reason I have been indulging you today is because Prana DOESN'T want conflict with Leosta."
There was still doubt lingering on Prince Andrei's face, but he dropped her arm. Flora rubbed at the spot that his hand had clutched. The prince slowly spoke, choosing his words carefully, "so you have the ability to see the future, something that has been thought to be impossible, and you say you are never wrong."
Flora swallowed hard. "Yes." She tried to inch away from the prince without him noticing.
His eyes flicked to her legs moving away, but he didn't acknowledge it. "What proof is there that you are telling the truth?"
Her body shuffled uncomfortably as she answered, "I don't..." Flora's glance drifted down to the floor. "I'm just asking you to trust my word."
"From a Pranian royal, that doesn't account for much."
Flora's head shot up, her eyes meeting the prince's. Anger flooded her as her cheeks heated. "I don't know what else you want me to say your highness." She didn't even bother to keep the bite out of her words. "Take what you want from my prediction, but don't take it out on my country." The combination of the alcohol and the prince's entitlement seemed to escalate her ire. "You should be thankful that you have any kind of warning." Flora pushed herself to her feet. She snapped out her hand against the chill wall as she teetered. Turning to glare back at the prince she snapped, "believe me or not, that's the truth. Now if you will excuse me your highness, I am going to bed."
Her dress swished as she turned to leave. Again she stumbled, but this time her frustration got the better of her. She kicked off her heels, not even caring if the prince saw. Prince Andrei didn't even deign a response as she left him alone in that hallway. He could go to hell for all she cared.
Surprisingly no one stopped her as she made her way back to her chambers. When she came crashing through the door to her bedroom, she didn't even bother to undress. Flora flopped face first into her bed and stayed like that before Rose came running through the door. "What is the meaning of this?" She tried to pull Flora up, but she wouldn't budge. "Why are you back so early? They are probably barely into dinner. You shouldn't be back for a couple more hours." Rose muscled up the strength to flip Flora over.
Flora covered her face, not wanting Rose to see it. "I couldn't stay there any longer." All she wanted to do was go to sleep. Today was such a draining day. She tried rolling back over, but Rose wouldn't let her.
"What do you mean you couldn't stay there?" Rose took a deep sniff of Flora. "My gods! You smell like a tavern!" She grabbed Flora by the shoulders and yanked her up into a sit. "What kind of drunken nonsense is this?"
Flora's head swayed downward, tears welling in her eyes. "I didn't mean to Rose," she murmured. "The prince..."
Rose crossed her arms in a huff. "Prince or not, you should know how to act properly." Her eyes roamed around Flora's form, catching on her bare feet. "You aren't even wearing any shoes. This is no way for a princess to act."
"I know." Flora didn't want to add anything else. Rose didn't need to know the conversation that she had with the prince, nor did she need to know that she was having visions again. "I'm sorry Rose."
Tapping her foot, Rose loosed a breath. She tucked a greying piece hair behind her ear, and spoke quietly, "well, there isn't much more we can do about it now." Her words were much softer this time. "I am going to get the girl and we will undress you and prepare you for bed." She turned to leave, but stopped at the door, glancing back. "Don't let that child see that you are intoxicated."
When the two maidens arrived, Flora tried her best not to sway or stumble. Rose and Amelia stayed silent as Flora was undressed and then placed into her nightclothes. Flora struggled to stay awake as Amelia brushed and then braided her hair. Flora didn't even realize that the two of them had left. She was asleep before she could even get underneath the covers.
* * *
Flora deserved every minute of discomfort she was experiencing. Why in the hell did she let that prince shove drinks down her throat? What an arrogant prick that prince was. Every last bit of shame was well earned by her ridiculous behavior. Anger stewed in her veins as she waited for Rose to come through the door. However, she really didn't want to face Rose today. Rose was probably mad at her, or even worse, disappointed.
There was a curt knock on the door before Rose stepped in, carrying a glass of... something. She shoved it into Flora's hands and commanded, "drink, it should help the headache."
"How did you know?" Flora was puzzled, but took a sip of the drink, shivering from the foul taste. She tried to stop herself from gagging on the aftertaste, bringing up a hand just in case.
"I've been around for a while." Rose went about the room, preparing to dress Flora for another day of receiving guests. She moved in a forcefully quiet way, indicating that she wasn't in a great mood.
Flora tried another sip, choking on the concoction. "Gods Rose, what is in this thing?" She moved to set the glass down, but Rose stopped her from doing so.
"No, drink the whole glass." Flora gave her a pleading look, but she only responded with, "stop your begging and drink." Rose continued laying out a dress for the day with matching slippers. Reluctantly, Flora pinched her nose and downed the rest of the drink, dramatically waving the empty cup to show Rose it was all gone. Rose gave her a rare smirk and said, "raw egg, fish oil, and hot pepper."
Flora could have vomited right then and there. "Mother," Flora spoke staring up towards the ceiling, "I am never drinking ever again." She inched her way off of her bed and shuffled begrudgingly towards Rose so she could get dressed. As she readied herself for the list of tasks awaiting her, she felt even more sluggish. Not only would she have to deal with guests and nobles alike, she would have to endure another day with Paul. She internally groaned, telling herself once more that it would all be over soon.